Autumnal Oracle
Eating soft candies,
Scary pre-season
These are, well, all
On sale too early
Shapes of ghosts
And bats, since
Hallowe’en creeps
In from weeks
Ahead
I want rehearsal
Practice of time,
A witch-spell nearly
Ready to be cast
Haunting for a
Fool, the wise
Child’s knowing
Fear for shapes
Of story’s eyes in
Spectral-black
Branches made of
Arms of spikes
That reach down
Toward me
I treat myself to
A bargain invocation,
Reviving the thrill
Of a house of wraiths
Night-dark on
A bright horizon
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September 9, 2016 at 10:08 pm
Great scary Halloween poem. Memories of your childhood Halloweeens? Or looking forward to this Halloweeen and its decorations. I like it, but I hate how people are more into it at times, than Christmas. Have a great weekend.
September 9, 2016 at 11:30 pm
I do have fond memories of Hallowe’en. Trick-or-treating throughout the neighborhood, when children could safely do this. Wearing homemade costumes that blanketed us against the nighttime autumn cold. You’re right of course about Christmas. But we have enculturated it to such an extent that it becomes difficult to see through all the crazed shopping and such to enjoy the meaning of the holiday. I like shopping for others, and I like decorations and special lights. But these are meant to emphasize the importance of the time, not replace it. There are passages in Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and The Dark Is Rising that convey a wondrous sense of how to celebrate Nativity. Sorry, i guess I do have memories and feelings. And I agree–Hallowe’en should not replace Christmas. Off my soapbox now. Thanks, Mandi! Hope your weekend is off to a grand start.
September 10, 2016 at 12:24 am
No worries. You are right of course, the true message of Christmas, is too often hidden.
September 13, 2016 at 3:04 am
ooooh. a very halloween-y poem, brother! 🙂 love the relevance and the descriptions!
September 13, 2016 at 5:49 pm
Thank you, sister. (Trick or treat!) I like this time of year. It’s imaginative, mischievous (in a good way), and one of the few times I become happily nostalgic. But I like the newness of each season as it comes ’round, too.
September 14, 2016 at 4:08 am
It’s not a tradition that I grew old with, as Trick or Treat here in my country only happens in the rich community. 😉 But it’s okay. I think this season is lovely because of your poem. 😉
September 14, 2016 at 5:45 pm
Trick or Treat only for the rich? That’s wrong and sad. Not to be insensitive (though I guess I am) but the celebration should be for everyone. The way seasons themselves are for everyone. Gifts of grace from God in which we graciously gift each other. (Sorry, off my soapbox now.)